Adjustable supports for anodes



Dec. 29, 1959 1 SZECHTMAN 2,919,237

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTS FOR ANODES Filed July 23, .954 2 Sheets-Sheerl 1 yATTORN EY Dec. 29, 1959 SZECHTMAN 2,919,237

ADJUSTBLE SUPPORTS FOR ANODES ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTS FOR ANODES"Application July 23, 1954, Serial No. 445,219

Claims. (Cl. 204-225) This invention relates to the mounting of anodesfor electrolytic cells and is more particularly concerned with means forreadily adjusting the position of such anodes in such cells.

Electrolytic cells employed for the decomposition of solutions of alkalimetal compounds using mercury, llowing along the bottom of the primarycell section, as a cathode commonly have a plurality of anodes. anodesare usually composed of a plate-like element supported from above by astem, or stems. The plate-like elements have their bottom surfacesparallel to the surface of the mercury and spaced a short distance aboveit.y An aqueous solution of the alkali metal, commonly a halide such assodium chloride to be decomposed, is present in the cell and the anodeplates and parts of the stems carrying them are immersed in suchsolution. A thin layer of thesolution thus occupies the space betweenthe upper surface of the mercury and the bottom surface of the anode.D.C. current passed through the anodes, through the thin layer ofsolution and to the mercur'y cathode serves to decompose the solution.

Extreme care must be taken to prevent any direct contactbetween theanode and cathode, as a heavy current is owing through the cell and theywould of course short lcircuit it. Nevertheless, as the operation of thecell continues, the anode plates and their stems are consumed from thebottom face of the cell upwards. This increases the space between thebottom surface of the plates and the mercury until it becomes too greatfor effective operation. It is, accordingly, necessary to lower theplate from time to time and to do so while the operation of the cellcontinues.

Heretofore, the mounting of the stems carrying the plates hasincorporated provision for the makingof such adjustments, but suchprovision has been-by the employment of means which have been cumbersomeand time consuming to actuate, while, at the same time, being fraughtwith the possibility of causing a short circuit. Generally, such priorart adjustments have involved the turning of various nuts or bolts whichcould not all be done at once to the same extent, thus involving thepossibility of the plate tilting to a sufficient extent to cause a shortcircuit. The disadvantages of vany such adjusting arrangements areobvious and rather striking, but until the advent of the instantinvention no straightforward solution to the problem has been devised.

The invention construction completely solvesv the prior art problems anddoes so in a simple and straightforward manner. It enables the downwardadjustment of the plates to be made without any interruption in theoperation of the cell; enables this to be done in a quick, simple mannerand precludes the possibility of the plate beinglowered or tilted to aposition where a short circuit could occur. The construction is aneconomical one and there is an economy of labor ingusing it, inasmuch asthe necessary adjustments can be made simply and quickly but still withgreater precision than was the case in prior art constructions.

These 2,9 l 915,237 Patented Dec., 29, 1959 Accordingly, the generalobject of the invention is to improve upon the adjustable mounting ofanodes for electrolytic cells.

Another object is to simplify the adjustment of anodesl ytightconnection for the electrical conduit bringing current to the stems.

A still further object is to combine such clamping with ak mounting vofthe stem for vertical adjustment.

Further and more detailed'objects will in part be 0bvious and in part bepointed out as the description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In that drawing:

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan View of the top and cover of anelectrolytic cell equipped with anode supports in accordance with theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a part elevation and part vertical section of one of the sternsupports viewed as in the Fig. 3 form, but prior to the making of anydownward adjustment.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary Vertical section of the combined support for theelectrode and connector for the conduit in accordance with theinvention; and

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective View of a set of adjusting plates orshims in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the invention has beenillustrated as applied to an electrolytic cell construction asillustrated in my co-pending application Serial No. 390,194, filedNovember 4, 1954, entitled Wall Structures for Electrolytic Cells, nowPatent No. 2,820,755. It is to be understood, however, that such showingis merely for illustrative purposes and that the invention is in no waylimited to use with a cell so constructed, but, on the contrary, iscapable of being used with a wide variety of cell constructions.

In the cell shown, a cross section thereof appears in the form of an Ibeam providing a cell bottom 1 with upstanding outside portions 2 and 3.The actual operating side walls 4 of the cell are shown as being U-shaped in cross section, being provided with an interior liner 5 andhaving their bottom sides 6 bolted down at 7 to the base 1. The liner Scommences between the portion 6 and the base land extends up the wall 4and over the top portion 3 to a bracket 9. It continues up the verticalportion of that bracket and is turned over the upper end thereof at 10where it is secured in place.

A longitudinal seat 11 is provided for supporting the ends 12 of theplurality of cover members 13. The space between the ends of the covermember 13 and the upwardly terminating portion of the liner is filledwith suitable gasketing material 14 to provide a gas tight joint. Thisgasketing may be of any suitable material, or combination of materials.As here shown it consists of a combination of a rubberl member backed upby a suitable packing. The construction at both sides of the cell isidentical, so only one side is described in detail.

The longitudinal extent of the cell is covered by a plurality of thetransverse cover members 13 which are spaced apart by spacing andclosing strips 15. The members 13 and the strips 15 are preferablyformed of hard rubber, or other insulating material. Right angle bracketmembers 16 and 17 extend along either side of the members 13 throughoutthe length thereof and are suitably secured in place by a plurality ofbolts 18 which, as seen in Figure 2, extend into but not through themembers 13. The bracket members 16 and 17 may be tied together at theirends by cross straps usable as handles extending across between them.

As here shown, each member 13 is perforated at spaced positions for thepassage therethrough of the stems 20 of the anode supports. The lowerends of these stems are suitably formed for supporting the anode plate21 and for making good electrical contact therewith. The engagement hereis by way of frusto conical ends 22 on the stems 20 which are receivedin mating recesses in the plate 21. For more detailed showing of thisrelationship, attention is directed to my co-pending application SerialNo. 390,193 entitled Anodes for Electrolytic Cells, tiled November 4,1953. It is to be understood, however, that the instant invention is inno way limited by any particular mounting relationship of plate andstern, since any properly effective mounting could be substituted forthat here shown. What is to be noted, however, is that no part of thestem extends below the bottom surface 23 of the plate 21. lf it did sothere would be too much likelihood of it extending through the layer ofbrine between the surface 23 and the mercury 24, thus contacting themercury and short circuiting the cell.

As already indicated, the plate is consumed, hence the thickness of itdecreases, in the course of the operation of the cell and this takesplace from the bottom upwards. Nevertheless, if properly located theplate remains fully effective until its thickness is reduced to afraction of what it was originally. lt is, accordingly, desirable to beable to lower the plate from time to time during the operation of thecell and While the cell is actually in operation so as to maintain thatoperation fully effective by maintaining the space between its bottomsurface 23 and the mercury 24 at the dimension required. This is simplyand efhcientl-y done in accordance with the invention by the mountingabout to be described.

Referring in particular to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that a pair ofstud bolts 25 and 26 have their lower ends welded, or otherwise suitablysecured, at 27 and 28 to the base portions 29 and 39 of the anglebrackets 16 and 17. These stud bolts extend up a substantial distanceand are bridged across by a mounting plate 31 shown in detail in Fig. 6.From that showing it will be seen that the plate 31 is perforated at 32and 33 for the reception of the bolts 25 and 26. These perforations areof suflicient size for the plate to be able to slide up and down on thebolts. Nuts 34 and 35 are here shown as applied to the upper ends of thebolts. They are not essential though they may be used if desired andcould serve to keep the plate 31 from riding up ot the top of the bolts25 and 26. Furthermore, they could serve to keep the plate and any shimslying beneath it down in desired position.

Referring to Fig. l, it will be seen that plates 31 are located at oneside of the upper ends of the stems 20, while matching plates 36, in allrespects the same as the plates 31 with the exception of the position ofthe supporting brackets thereon, are mounted at the other side of thestems 2t). Again, the mounting of the plates 36 is by means of studbolts positioned and engaged by the plate in the same manner as the studbolts 25 and 26.

The stems 20 are supported in the desired vertical position and electriccurrent is conducted to them by pairs of conducting straps 37 and 38.The strap 37 starts with a straight portion 39 which is bolted at 40 tothe upright portion of the bracket 41. The strap continues into asemi-circular portion which embraces one side of the upwardly extendingportion of the stem 20. Similarly, the strap 38 is bolted at 42 to theupwardly extending portion of a right angle bracket 43 secured to theupper surface of the plate 36. The bolting at 40 and 42, as illustratedin Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is preferably effected by two vertically spacedbolts, rather than by a single one.

Clamping of the stem 20 between the curved portion of the straps 37 and38 is eltected at one side of the stem by bolting the end of the strap38 to the straight portion of the strap 39, as shown at 44. At the otherside of the stem, the end of the strap 37 and the straight portion of astrap 38 have the downturned end of the conduit strip 45 seated betweenthem and these parts are all bolted together at 46. Again, it ispreferable that a plurality of vertically spaced bolts be employed atthe positions 44 and 46 to not only clamp the stem 20 tightly, but alsoto make a tight connection with the end of the conduit strip 45.

The conduit strip 45 and its position between the portions of the straps37 and 38 is shown in detail in Fig. 5. From that showing it will beseen that the strip 45 is of a llexible nature, preferably being formedof braided Wire so that it will give as desired when the stem 20 ismoved. It will be readily apparent that the clamping o-f the stem inthis manner not only holds it rigid, but also makes good contact forpassage of electric current thereto from the straps 37 and 38.

Considering the provision of the invention construction for the loweringof the anode plate 21 as the same decreases in thickness, attention isdirected to the showing in Figs. 4 and 6. From the Fig. 4 showing, itwill be seen that the plate 31 carrying the bracket 41 is positionedclose to the top of the stud bolts 25 and 26, and so mounts the stern 2)in an upward position. This upward position is eected and maintained bythe interposition of a set of shim plates 47, 4S and 49 beneath themounting plate 31. As here shown there is one each of the plates 47 and48 but several of the thin size 49.

The lower of these shim plates, here shown as one of the thin shims 49,rests on nuts S0 mounted on the stud bolts 2S. and 26. The nuts 50 areset at the desired critical position to locate the plate carried by thestem at the desired vertical position above the mercury, Adepending onthe combined thickness of the set of shim plates. The set of shim platesshown is for illustrative purposes, it of course being understood thatsets of different numbers of shim plates, ha"ing different thicknesses,may be used as required. Regardless of the thickness and number,however, the shim plates will be formed as illustrated in Fig. 6 whereonly one plate 49 is shown, though a plurality of these thin plates isseen spaced throughout the set in Fig. 4.

From the Fig. 6 showing, it will be seen that each of the shim plates47, 4S and 49 have the same overall outline as the plate 3l, but,instead of merely being perforated at 32 and 33 to receive the studbolts, they are formed with U-shaped recesses 51, 52 and 53 for the samepurpose, extending into them from their edges 54, 55 and 56. Thus, theshim plates can be slid in and out from beneath the plate 3l. All thatneeds to be done to effect such sliding when desired is to remove a pairof locating pins S7 and 58 from the aligned sets of perforations 59, 60,61 and 62, formed in the plates. The Shanks of the pins 57 and 58 aredimensioned to be slidably received in such perforations and theirenlarged heads scat on the upper surface of the plate 31, as seen inFigs. 3 and 4. These pins not only serve to properly locate the shimplates, but also serve to prevent their removal until the pins arelifted out.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that when a coversection 13 of the cell is set up ready to be put into use with a newanode plate 21 carried thereby, a suitable number of shims of suitablethickness is mounted on the bolts 25 and 26 beneath the plate 31 and isheld in that position by the pins 57 and 58. As the operation of thecell proceeds and the plate 21 becomes reduced in thickness, theoperator merely needs to lift out the pins 57 and 58, remove the desiredshim plate and replace the pins. This enables the plates 31 to belowered and consequently lowers the stems 20 and the anode plates 21.Nothing is left up to the judgment of the operator, no time consuming orpossibly inaccurate adjustment of nuts or bolts is required and nodangerous tilting of the anode plate can take place. Nevertheless, theproper spacing between the bottom of the anode plate and the surface ofthe mercury can be readily restored when needed.

Reverting to Figs. l and 3, it will be seen that alternate ones of theclosing and filling strips have elongated right angle bracket members 70thereon, comparable to the bracket members 16 and 17. At theirmid-point, the vertical portion of the brackets 70 have supportingblocks 71 bolted thereto, as shown at 72, which blocks support the leadstrip 73 extending from the power line along the side of the cell, (notshown). At its remote end the lead strip 73 has the downturned end ofthe connector 45 engaged with one side thereof and the downturned end ofthe comparable connector 75, for one of the anode stem mountings of theadjacent cover member, engaged with the other side thereof. Thesedownturned ends 76 and 77 are tightly secured to the lead strip 73 by aplurality of bolts, as at '7S and 79. Similarly, the connectors 80 and81 for the adjacent pair of anode supports carried by the .cover membersare bolted to the sides of the lead strips 73 at the position 82. It isto be noted that the leads 80 and 82 engage the supporting straps fortheir anode stern at the opposite side of their anode stems from theengagement by straps 45 and 75. That is merely for symmetry of designand save for this mere reversal, the parts are the same in eachinstance. Also, it is apparent that since adjacent pairs of covermembers are hooked up to one lead strip, the alternate iiller stripswill be devoid of lead strips, as is clearly seen from the showing ofFig. 3.

Though in the showing in the accompanying drawing and in the foregoingdescription certain common mechanical expedients for clamping andconnecting have been shown and described, it is, of course, to beunderstood that this showing and description, as well as the showing anddescription of other common expedients is for illustrative and notlimiting purposes. Alternatives of such expedients would readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and may be employed in place 0fthose here disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Speaking more generally, since certain changes may be made in the aboveconstruction and different embodiments of the invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having defined my invention, what I describe as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In electrolytic cell construction, an anode plate, an upstandingconducting and carrying stem secured to said plate and extendingupwardly therefrom, said stem being formed of the same material as thatof said plate,

an electrical contact member conductively secured to saidstem, andsupporting means carried by the cell for supporting said stem in desiredvertical position, said supporting means including a supporting memberdirectly engaging said electrical contact member, a pair of mountingposts for mounting said supporting member for free vertical movement,and a series of slidably removable shims positioned beneath saidsupporting member engaging said posts, with means for mounting saidremovable shims for the carrying of said supporting member thereonwhereby said anode may be carefully lowered to the desired controlledextent by removal of said shims during the operation of said cell.

2. In electrolytic cell construction, an anode plate, an upstandingconducting and carrying stern secured to said plate and extendingupwardly therefrom, said stem being formed of the same material as thatof said plate, an electrical contact member conductively secured to saidstem, and supporting means carried by the cell for positioning saidanode in accurate horizontal position in said cell, said supportingmeans including a supporting member mounted on a pair of vertical posts,means for mounting said electrical contact member directly on saidsupporting member, a series of readily laterally removable shimspositioned beneath said supporting member and means for mounting saidremovable shims for the carrying of said supporting member thereonwhereby said anode may be incrementally lowered in a controlled mannerby removal of said shims while said cell remains in operation.

3. Electrolytic cell construction as in claim 2 wherein said anode plateis carried by a pair of stems and each of said stems has an electricalcontact member and each electrical contact member is carried bysupporting means.

4. ln electrolytic cell construction, an anode including a plate and asupporting stem therefor, said stem being secured to said plate at thelower end thereof and extending upwardly therefrom, an electricalcontact member in the form of strap means engaging said stern and beingconductively secured thereto and means for supporting said anode invertically adjustable position, said means including a pair of verticalposts on which is mounted a vertically movable supporting memberdirectly engaging said strap means and secured thereto, a series ofreadily laterally removable shims positioned beneath said supportingmember and means for mounting said shims in said supporting positionwhereby said anode is solely supported by said electrical contact memberand said support is vertically adjustable in controlled increments.

5. ln anode supporting means for electrolytic cells, a pair of spacedvertically slidable supports, an anode including an anode plate and amounting stem, said mounting stem being secured to said plate andextending upwardly therefrom, said anode stem being positioned betweensaid supports and electricity conducting and clamping means engagingsaid anode stem to mount the same in desired vertical position, saidclamping means including a pair of strap members formed to embrace saidstern therebetween and each of said strap members having an outwardlyextending portion, one of said portions engaging one of said slidablesupports and terminating at the same and the other of said outwardlyextending portions engaging the other of said vertically slidablesupports and terminating at the same, said clamping means being the solesupport for said stem whereby each stern of the plurality in anelectrolytic cell can be individually adjusted in operation. f

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,104,678 Sorenson June 4, 1938 2,328,665 Munson Sept. 7, 1943 2,599,363Bennett June 3, 1952 2,6l7,762 Basilewsky Nov. 11, 1952 2,627,501Gardiner Feb. 3, 1953

1. IN ELECTROLYTIC CELL CONTRUCTION, AN ANODE PLATE, AN UPSTANDINGCONDUCTING AND CARRYING STEM SECURSED TO SAID PLATE AND EXTENDINGUPWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID STEM BEING FORMED OF THE SAME MATERIAL AS THATOF SAID PLATE, AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEMBER CONDUCTIVELY SECURED TO SAIDSTEM, AND SUPPORTING MEANS CARRIED BY THE CELL FOR SUPPORTING SAID STEMIN DESIRED VERICAL POSITION, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING ASUPPORTING MEMBER DIRECTLY ENGAGING SAID ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEMBER, APAIR OF MOUNTING POSTS FOR MOUNTING SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR FREEVERTICAL MOVEMENT,AND A SERIES OF SLIDABLY REMOVABLE SHIMS POSITIONEDBENEATH SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER ENGAGING SAID POSTS, WITH MEANS FROMOUNTING SAID REMOVABLE SHIMS FOR THE CARRYING OF SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERTHEREON WHEREBY SAID ANODE MAY BE CAREFULLY LOWERED TO THE DESIREDCONTROLLED EXTENT BY REMOVAL OF SAID SHIMS DURING THE OPERATION OF SAIDCELL.